Association between Clinical Symptoms and Histological Features of Molars with Acute Pulpitis

Introduction: Diagnosis of dental pulp status on the basis of clinical signs in many cases helps clinicians to better resolve patient problems. Various studies have shown no correlation between clinical and histologic findings. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between clinical findings and histological features in extracted decayed teeth with acute pulpitis. Materials and Methods: One hundred permanent cavitated human teeth with mature apices and pulpitis, which were extracted for reasons not related to the present study, were evaluated. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were collected using pre-designed questionnaires. After tooth extraction, 5 micron-thick slices were prepared for microscopic assessment. General pathologist evaluated reactions to stimuli in all areas of the pulp tissue under a light microscope. When present, inflammation was classified according to the type and spread of cell detected and other histological findings, such as abscess formation, pulp stones, and pulpal fibrosis, were also recorded. Results: We found significant associations between pain characteristics, such as pain type and duration, and histological status.  Acute inflammation, severe chronic inflammation, and liquefactive necrosis increased with pain severity. Various histological sections showed the absence of pulpal inflammation. Conclusions: We found a good agreement of patients’ pain histories and pain characteristics with histological pulp status. Thus, the use of specified CHARTs and SCALEs that help patients provide the most accurate responses to questions about pain would aid the diagnosis of pulp status. In cases with an accurate pulpal diagnosis, the clinicians can manage pulpal protection when it is possible

Residual Dentin Thickness of Bifurcated Maxillary Premolars Following Two Post Space Preparation Methods

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the effect of Gates-Glidden and Peeso reamer drills on residual dentin thickness during post space preparation in order to discover which method has minimum root structure damage. Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted human maxillary premolars with bifurcations at root middle were horizontally cut 15 mm coronal to the apical end after root canal treatment. The samples were scannedby Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) before and after preparing the post space. Residual dentin thicknesses were measured at 4-, 6-, and 8-mm levels from the apex. Data were analyzed using repeated measured ANOVA. Results: Endodontic therapy and post space preparations removed more dentin within the bifurcation of both roots compared to outer dentin. The difference in residual dentin thickness was highly significant regarding stage (before and after post space preparation) in all levels and stage × device in coronal and middle levels (P<.05). This in vitro study emphasizes the minimal dentin width in the buccal root of maxillary premolars, especially near the bifurcation. Conclusion: Lack of adequate residual dentin thickness after post space preparation implies that the use of posts in maxillary first premolars should be limited. When mandatory, it is recommended that post space be prepared with Gates-Glidden drill in the palatal root of maxillary first premolars and use of Peeso reamer be avoided

Anterior Traumatic Dental Injuries in East Iranian School Children: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Introduction: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence and etiology of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in school children of the Northeast of Iran. The type of involved teeth, the place of injury and treatment quality as well as the relationship between TDI and anatomic predisposing factors such as overjet and lip coverage were evaluated. Methods and Materials: A total of 778 school children were clinically examined for signs of trauma to their permanent teeth and the amount of overjet and lip coverage were also recorded. A questionnaire containing demographic data of participants and history of the dental trauma was given to the children’s parents. The data were analyzed using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: One hundred and seventy eight (22.9%) children had a history of previous trauma to their permanent teeth. There was a significant difference between boys and girls (P=0.017). A total of 46.1% of children had experienced luxation injuries of permanent teeth, 37% had crown fractures, and 16.9% experienced avulsion of anterior teeth. Maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth (84%). There was a significant relationship between TDI and overjet (P=0.02) in permanent teeth. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant relationship between TDI and lip coverage. The most common cause of TDI was falling over (42.9%) followed by fighting (34%). The majority of traumas happened at home (46.8%) and school (29.9%). Sixty two (39.7%) children with TDI did not receive any dental or medical care after injury. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental trauma in school children in Iran was rather high (22.9%); the most common type of trauma to the permanent teeth was luxation injuries

Occlusable corneas in toadfishes: light transmission, movement and ultrastruture of pigment during light- and dark-adaptation

The toadfishes Tetractenos hamiltoni and Torquigener pleurogramma (Tetraodontidae) possess occlusable yellow corneas. We examine the light transmission and location of the yellow/orange pigment throughout the cornea, the temporal properties of pigment migration and the ultrastructure of the pigmented processes during light- and dark-adaptation. Each species was dark-adapted during the day and light-adapted during the night and then exposed to either sun illumination or darkness for different lengths of time (0-70 min). Movement of corneal pigment could be induced in both species regardless of time of day or night. The pigment was able to migrate in a dorsal or ventral direction and changed from minimal to maximal pigmentation within 60 min. Three types of transmission curves were found with varying degrees of transmission in the 400-500 nm waveband, indicating that the pigment distribution is not uniform across the cornea; some areas of the cornea transmit near UV light, while others absorb blue light. The gradual change of the transmission characteristics in different areas of the cornea indicates the presence of different concentrations of a single type of pigment. Ultrastructural examination of the corneas showed that the layer containing the pigment is situated within the scleral cornea either surrounding (T. pleurogramma) or abutting (T. hamiltoni) an iridescent layer. Long sheet-like processes or chromatophores extending centrally from dorsal and ventral reservoirs are filled with pigment during the light-adapted state but empty in the dark-adapted state

Applications of Genetic Programming in Cancer

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods have gained notable recognition for their innovative problem-solving approaches, which notably do not require understanding the problem’s physical underpinnings. AI applications in medicine herald a new era of digital health, assisting physicians in delivering optimal patient care. The experience and knowledge of physicians are undeniably crucial in diagnosing diseases and treating patients. In this context, AI models facilitate the rapid learning and analysis of large datasets. Consequently, with the growing volume of data collection and the refinement of AI models, AI technologies can assist physicians and health policy-makers make more precise evidence-based clinical decisions. In cancer research, AI methodologies are extensively utilized for prognostic predictions and risk assessments. Specifically, accurately categorizing cancer patients into risk groups and forecasting individual prognoses are vital for therapeutic decision-making. Like other AI techniques, genetic programming (GP) has been employed for prognostic predictions and the classification of cancer patients.Additionally, AI-assisted classification of cancer types may provide more precise criteria for distinguishing malignant and benign lesions. Preliminary studies in breast cancer utilizing GP have yielded significant diagnostic criteria for the classification of malignant lesions in screening mammography. Early cancer diagnosis and identifying individuals at risk for specialized screening programs are undoubtedly life-saving advancements in cancer research. In light of this, further investigations utilizing GP are recommended

Sorting of a nonmuscle tropomyosin to a novel cytoskeletal compartment in skeletal muscle results in muscular dystrophy

Tropomyosin (Tm) is a key component of the actin cytoskeleton and >40 isoforms have been described in mammals. In addition to the isoforms in the sarcomere, we now report the existence of two nonsarcomeric (NS) isoforms in skeletal muscle. These isoforms are excluded from the thin filament of the sarcomere and are localized to a novel Z-line adjacent structure. Immunostained cross sections indicate that one Tm defines a Z-line adjacent structure common to all myofibers, whereas the second Tm defines a spatially distinct structure unique to muscles that undergo chronic or repetitive contractions. When a Tm (Tm3) that is normally absent from muscle was expressed in mice it became associated with the Z-line adjacent structure. These mice display a muscular dystrophy and ragged-red fiber phenotype, suggestive of disruption of the membrane-associated cytoskeletal network. Our findings raise the possibility that mutations in these tropomyosin and these structures may underpin these types of myopathies

Simultaneous retrograde venous and anterograde arterial bullet embolism: a case report

Background Bullet embolus is a rare condition following gunshot injuries and represents a clinical challenge regarding both diagnosis and management. Case presentation We report the case of a 35-year-old Iranian (Middle-Eastern) male patient with a shotgun injury to both buttocks, which traveled to the heart and the popliteal area through the femoral vein and superficial femoral artery, respectively. Surgical intervention was applied for the popliteal pellet, and the patient was discharged without further complications. Conclusion Although bullet emboli can be a clinical challenge, with the advent of modern procedures, removal has become safer. X-ray, computed tomography, and transthoracic and/or transesophageal echocardiography may be used as adjuncts to help establish the diagnosis

Socioeconomic inequalities in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension: evidence from the PERSIAN cohort study

Background Elevated blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. In this study, we examined the socioeconomic inequality and its related factors in prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control (ATC) of hypertension (HTN) in Iran. Method The study used data from the recruitment phase of The Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN). A sample of 162,842 adults aged > = 35 years was analyzed. HTN was defined according to the Joint National Committee)JNC-7(. socioeconomic inequality was measured using concentration index (Cn) and curve. Results The mean age of participants was 49.38(SD = +/- 9.14) years and 44.74% of the them were men. The prevalence of HTN in the total population was 22.3%(95% CI: 20.6%; 24.1%), and 18.8%(95% CI: 16.8%; 20.9%) and 25.2%(95% CI: 24.2%; 27.7%) in men and women, respectively. The percentage of awareness treatment and control among individuals with HTN were 77.5%(95% CI: 73.3%; 81.8%), 82.2%(95% CI: 70.2%; 81.6%) and 75.9%(95% CI: 70.2%; 81.6%), respectively. The Cn for prevalence of HTN was -0.084. Two factors, age (58.46%) and wealth (32.40%), contributed most to the socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of HTN. Conclusion The prevalence of HTN was higher among low-SES individuals, who also showed higher levels of awareness. However, treatment and control of HTN were more concentrated among those who had higher levels of SES, indicating that people at a higher risk of adverse event related to HTN (the low SES individuals) are not benefiting from the advantage of treatment and control of HTN. Such a gap between diagnosis (prevalence) and control (treatment and control) of HTN needs to be addressed by public health policymakers

Ultrastructure of in situ perfusion-fixed avian liver, with special reference to structure of the sinusoids

Broiler chicken and laying hen livers were fixed using a simple technique of in situ puncture perfusion of cacodylate-buffered fixative, which allowed characterisation of the fine structure of hepatic parenchyma, hepatocytes, bile ductules, and, in particular, the sinusoidal cells including endothelial, Kupffer, and Ito cells. Sinusoidal endothelial cells with their bulging perinuclear cytoplasm, evident in both transmission and scanning electron micrographs, were easily distinguishable from Kupffer cells, which possessed numerous pseudopodia. Bile ductular epithelium and hepatocytes of the laying hens contained large amounts of lipid. The ultrastructural characteristics of intercalated cells (putative extra-sinusoidal macrophages of chicken liver) are described and their possible role as precursors of Kupffer cells is discussed

Prevalence of Traumatic Dental Injuries among Contact Sport Practitioners in Northeast of Iran in 2012

Introduction: Contact sports may lead to dental injures, which may often be prevented by using mouthguards. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in professional contact sport athletes and to determine the awareness regarding use of mouthguards in this group. Methods: A questionnaire containing a number of  questions regarding the demographic data of participants, experiences of trauma and their behavior after that and use of mouthguard, was distributed amongst 100 contact sport athletes. Results: eighty athletes returned the questionnaire. The age range of most of the participants (44.2%)  was between 20-30  .Also most of them had been practicing in contact sports for 1 to 5 years (37.3%). 26.2% of the athletes had experienced some sort of dental trauma. There was no significant difference between the injuries in males and females (p> 0.05). Luxation injuries were the most common type of TDI (47.7%), followed by crown fractures (42.1%) and avulsion (10.5%). 89.7% of athletes had already been informed about using mouthguards, however only 10.3% reported having used them. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the rate of TDI among contact sport practitioners in Iran is high; however the use of mouthguards by athletes is low. Dentists and sports authorities should promote the use of mouthguards in contact sports to decreases the risk of dental trauma and tooth loss